Editing Lymphedema (section)

====Intermittent pneumatic compression therapy====
Intermittent pneumatic compression therapy (IPC) utilizes a multi-chambered pneumatic sleeve with overlapping cells to promote movement of lymph fluid.<ref name="Lymphedema Diagnostic workup" /> Pump therapy should only be used in addition to other treatments such as compression bandaging and manual lymph drainage. Pump therapy has been used in the past to help with controlling lymphedema. In some cases, pump therapy helps soften fibrotic tissue and therefore potentially enable more efficient lymphatic drainage.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Cheville AL, McGarvey CL, Petrek JA, Russo SA, Taylor ME, Thiadens SR | title = Lymphedema management | journal = Seminars in Radiation Oncology | volume = 13 | issue = 3 | pages = 290–301 | date = July 2003 | pmid = 12903017 | doi = 10.1016/S1053-4296(03)00035-3}}</ref> However, reports link pump therapy to increased incidence of edema proximal to the affected limb, such as genital edema arising after pump therapy in the lower limb.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Boris M, Weindorf S, Lasinski BB | title = The risk of genital edema after external pump compression for lower limb lymphedema | journal = Lymphology | volume = 31 | issue = 1 | pages = 15–20 | date = March 1998 | pmid = 9561507}}</ref> Current literature has suggested the use of IPC treatment in conjunction with an [[elastic therapeutic tape]] is more effective in the overall reduction of lymphedema as well as increasing shoulder [[range of motion]] than the traditional treatment of IPC paired with complete decongestive therapy. The tape is an elastic cotton strip with an acrylic adhesive that is used commonly used to relieve the discomfort and disability associated with sports injuries, but in the context of lymphedema, this increases the space between the dermis and the muscle which increases the opportunity for lymphatic fluid to flow out naturally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Lauren |date=2024-04-22 |title=Lymphedema - Symptoms, Treatment, & Care at VIC Chattanooga |url=https://vascularinstituteofchattanooga.com/vein-clinic/venous-conditions/lymphedema/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=vascularinstituteofchattanooga.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2025-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221211040/https://vascularinstituteofchattanooga.com/vein-clinic/venous-conditions/lymphedema/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Effects of Kinesio Taping">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kasawara KT, Mapa JM, Ferreira V, Added MA, Shiwa SR, Carvas N, Batista PA | title = Effects of Kinesio Taping on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A meta-analysis in clinical trials | journal = Physiotherapy Theory and Practice | volume = 34 | issue = 5 | pages = 337–345 | date = May 2018 | pmid = 29308967 | doi = 10.1080/09593985.2017.1419522 | s2cid = 3351415}}</ref> The use of IPC treatments with tape, as well as subsequent lymphatic drainage, has proven to significantly reduce the circumference of lymphatic limbs in patients experiencing lymphedema secondary to breast cancer post-mastectomy.<ref name="Effects of Kinesio Taping" />